Purdue enjoyed one of those storybook seasons in 1997 that Hollywood dreams are made of. The Boilermakers, behind the leadership of new coach Joe Tiller's staff, turned around their fortunes which resulted in a 9-3 season, second-place Big Ten tie (6-2 mark), final ranking of 15th in the national polls and a victory in the Builders Square Alamo Bowl. It was the Old Gold and Black's first winning season and bowl appearance since 1984, and highest national finish since 1979. The 9-3 record was the nation's second-best turnaround (from a 3-8 record in 1996).

Purdue led the Big Ten in passing (285.2 yards per game) and total offense (459.2) in 1997. It ranked seventh in the NCAA in total offense, 13th in passing and 22nd in scoring (33.0). The opportunistic defense helped the team lead the conference and rank ninth in the country in turnover margin with a school-record plus-14 total. Boiler fans took notice in a big way, averaging 51,690 fans per home game, an increase of 14.1 percent over 1996 and the highest average since 1988.

Tiller, who recently had his contract extended through the 2003 season after winning National and Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year honors, welcomes back 41 lettermen and 11 starters for the start of spring practice. A highly-regarded recruiting class will join them in the fall, although five junior college transfers already are on campus and will take part in spring drills.

Seven returning defensive starters provide high hopes for the stop troops. The secondary and linebackers each lost only one player, and the line lost both tackles. End Rosevelt Colvin (second team All-Big Ten), middle linebacker Willie Fells (ranked third in the Big Ten in tackles), outside linebacker Willie Burroughs (198 career tackles), cornerback Mike Hawthorne (team's best cover man) and free safety Adrian Beasley (Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP) are the featured defenders.

The offense must be retooled as only four regulars return. All-America receiver Brian Alford, record-setting quarterback Billy Dicken, the top two running backs, one tight end and three interior linemen must be replaced. Center Jim Niedrach (honorable mention All-Big Ten), guard Chukky Okobi, and fleet receivers Isaac Jones, Donald Winston, Gabe Cox and Vinny Sutherland provide high hopes for another prolific offense.

Two of four kickers will be back. Placekicker Shane Ryan (Purdue's No. 2 scorer in 1997) and punter Danny Rogers are solid returnees.

"We need to address our personnel at several positions this spring, especially offensively," Tiller said. "The defense returns basically intact so it should be stronger and more physical. We need to overhaul the offense but we feel good based on the players who will return. Our wide receivers should be talented and our running back mix will be interesting. The kicking game will be less of a question mark than it was last spring. We are anxious to see how our young players and newcomers will respond."